Oct. 4, 2023

Examining Close Relationships

Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the Close Relationships research project study how youths’ interactions with close relationship partners shape their development and emotional adjustment. Students approach the study of relationships from a lifetime perspective – with a primary focus on childhood and adolescence. It’s a project that has been ongoing since 2017 and is led by Amanda Rose, a professor of psychological sciences, and Ashley Groh, an associate professor of psychological sciences. The research was born out of a different project that Rose and Groh were co-supervising with a doctoral student focused on…

Oct. 4, 2023

Studying the Importance of Minority-Focused Content

The Minority Focused News as a Locus of Empowerment research team investigates the manners in which news websites and streaming platforms that serve under-represented and marginalized populations provide a benefit to society. Undergraduate students at the University of Missouri who participate in the research seek to understand how identity-focused content serves as a safe space for those affected groups. The original research was born out of work that Chris Josey, an associate teaching professor of communication at MU, started as a graduate student at the University of Illinois. Josey, who helps lead the team at Mizzou, conducted research…

Oct. 4, 2023

Exploring Death Through the Lens of Artistic Production

Since 2017, the Art of Death research project has allowed undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to normalize conversations about death and dying through the lens of artistic production. Students use a variety of media tools – such as virtual reality (VR), projection mapping, augmented reality (AR) and video art – to generate creative projects that explore death and dying. The innovative project is also an interdisciplinary one. Led by Katina Bitsicas, an assistant professor in the MU School of Visual Studies, and Debora Verniz, an assistant professor of architectural studies, students have the opportunity to confront…

Oct. 4, 2023

A Historical Dive into the Santa Fe Trail

An important piece of Missouri history, the Santa Fe Trail connected the Show-Me State to present day Santa Fe, New Mexico, providing a valuable trade route through the middle of a still growing United States. The trail has been of interest to historians in the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy – and a new research project will now allow undergraduate students at the University of Missouri to excavate historical data related to the trail. Through the ASH Scholars Program, the Santa Fe Trail research team will not only dive into the importance of the trail, but…

Sep. 19, 2023

What’s the Buzz About Bees?

A member of the board of advisors for the Boone Regional Beekeepers Association and a beekeeping project leader for Sustain Mizzou, George Frees has shared his bee expertise with a variety of audiences across Missouri over the years. Community members, elementary students and various school groups have all benefited from his knowledge and instruction on caring for one of the world’s most important pollinators. Frees is now bringing that passion to University of Missouri Honors College students. Frees, a junior biochemistry and plant sciences double major, is co-teaching an Honors Seminar with Bethany Stone, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor…

Aug. 16, 2023

Meet the 2023 Mizzou Stamps Scholars

The University of Missouri is one of just 36 schools across the United States and into the United Kingdom that partners with the Stamps Scholars Program on a premier scholarship. Mizzou has collaborated with the program since 2016, offering Tigers a full four-year scholarship, covering up to the total estimated cost of attendance (including housing), plus an additional $16,000 enrichment fund for students to use throughout their time at MU. Mizzou has welcomed more than 30 Scholars since the partnership began – and will bring in its largest cohort this fall. Eight students will join the incredible Stamps…

Aug. 15, 2023

Ready to Engage in Research

As Rhea Pookulangara was making her college decision, one of her priorities was finding a place that would allow her to participate in undergraduate research. Pookulangara had been involved in research projects since her junior year of high school through the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) at the University of North Texas. Pursuing that research passion at the collegiate level was high on her interest list. While she had several options, Pookulangara knew that the University of Missouri would provide her those opportunities, and after being named a Stamps Scholar, she will be exposed to a…

Aug. 14, 2023

Exploring Her Scientific Interests

Growing up, Charlie Beecher loved being outdoors, searching storm drains for tiger salamanders or trees for bugs. Beecher grew up in Pullman, Washington, where she also enjoyed visiting the incredible orchards throughout the area. It was during that time that Beecher found her love of nature and science. She carried that passion to Missouri when her family moved to the Kansas City area. Now, as Beecher embarks on the next step of her academic journey, she is excited to further her scientific pursuits at the University of Missouri. Beecher is no stranger to the MU campus. Both…

Aug. 13, 2023

Bringing the News to Life

When she was in middle school, Maya Dawson spent hours writing short stories and poetry, developing her own voice as an author. Once she got to high school, Dawson thought those skills would translate rather well to a journalism class she was interested in taking. While Dawson quickly learned that her journalistic writing voice would differ from her poetic style, she also found a passion for bringing the news to life. “I kind of thought that the styles wouldn’t be all that different – and that was not the case,” Dawson said. “I found, though, that I…

Aug. 9, 2023

Pursuing His Political Passions

Among the many lessons Chase Zeller said he learned during the pandemic one not only left a lasting impression on him, but it also sparked an interest that he hopes to dive deeper into as a student at the University of Missouri. Zeller saw the importance of government in his life and the lives of individuals across the country, especially at the local level. He spent his final two years of high school participating in a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, gaining valuable insight into the inner workings of several governmental entities. Zeller, who plans to …